Thursday, September 30, 2010

Looking for something to do in San Diego this weekend? The Olivewood Garden and Learning Center in National City is holding a weekend of fundraising organized by local chefs Julie Sayer Darling and Melissa Mayer, with an appearance by Chef Ann Cooper on Friday evening, a (sold out) gala dinner on Saturday night, and a picnic in the garden on Sunday afternoon.

Olivewood Gardens is a fabulous place, dedicated to "reconnecting students and families to the natural environment through food, community engagement, and education." Each week, local school children visit the garden and learn how food is grown and how to cook and eat more healthfully. The kids are taught and engaged by dozens of committed volunteers, including San Diego chefs, food writers, master gardeners, and community members.Tickets for the Chef Ann Cooper event on Friday are only $10. and offer the opportunity to hob nob with some of San Diego's finest community volunteers, the ladies of the Junior League of San Diego. (Ok, maybe I'm a little biased - I used to be a member.) This is the keynote speech of the Association of Junior Leagues' Southwest Exchange Conference, and promises to be an inspiring evening. Ann Cooper is known for her crusading efforts to improve the quality of school lunches, and is a dynamic and energetic speaker. Tickets for this event include appetizers and a cash bar, and can be purchased here for only $10.00.The lucky folks who bought up all 80 tickets available for the Saturday night event will also enjoy an exclusive dinner under the stars with Chef Ann Cooper on the beautiful grounds of Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center. Several San Diego chefs, including the evening's mixologist Ron Oliver of The Marine Room, will create a sumptuous, organic champagne reception and 5-course dinner. Participating chefs include Amy DiBiase of Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Hotel, Flor Franco of Indulge Catering, Katie Grebow of Cafe Chloe, Ricardo Heredia of Alchemy, Joe Manganelli of Cucina Urbana, Melissa Mayer of Suzie’s Farm, pastry chef Sara Polchynski of Rancho La Puerta, and Chad White of Roseville. I've seen the menu, and it promises to be an absolutely amazing meal. All organic produce will be donated by Suzie’s Farm, and a silent auction with choice items will also take place throughout the evening.

On Sunday, a Family Garden Picnic is planned, where families will enjoy fun, farming, and food on the grounds of the Olivewood Gardens. Guests will tour the edible gardens, learn about gardening and nutrition with hands-on activities, and eat freshly prepared local foods cooked by top San Diego chefs and food writers. And don’t forget your bathing suits and flip-flops! The pool will be open with a lifeguard on duty. A national television show will be filming the events that day too. Tickets for this event are still available and can be purchased for $50. for adults and only $10. for kids.

Here are the full details on the two events for which tickets are available:

1 comment:

Hi Alice Q.It was great to meet you on Friday and thanks for the kind words about my new blog. I've added you as a link on mine. I hope the Sunday event went well... it sounded like an awesome time. Looking forward to the next foodie event in San Diego...